Faith: God’s divine power revealed in visions
Transfiguration of the Lord, Aug. 6 (Year A) Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 97; 2 Peter 1:16-19
Daniel’s vision has a long afterlife. It has been burned into the consciousness of the three Abrahamic religions and is at the core of most apocalyptic theology.
Faith: Confessing both sin and praise isn’t easy
The mark of genuine contrition is not a sense of guilt, but a sense of sorrow and regret for having taken a wrong turn.
Faith: We find God in our quietest moments
In a fantasy movie, two fallen angels are on a quest. As often happens with quests, violence ensues. They battle it out, angels and humans, blood and wing-feathers flying. Towards the end of the movie, when it’s too late, God wakes from a long nap and wanders in, yawning.
Theologians in Italy studying development of 'Humanae Vitae'
VATICAN CITY – Four theologians specializing in marriage and family life are studying Vatican archival material with a view of telling the whole story of how and why Blessed Paul VI wrote his encyclical Humanae Vitae on married love.
Vatican conference aims to build momentum for nuclear disarmament
VATICAN CITY – Nuclear disarmament will be the focus of a Vatican conference this Nov. 10-11, following recent progress toward international bans on nuclear weapons.
Vatican shuts down fountains as Rome deals with drought
VATICAN CITY – While Rome reels from one of its worst droughts in decades, the Vatican is doing its part to conserve water by shutting down the city-state's 100 fountains.
Report on German choir abuse hailed as step in right direction
ROME, Italy – A member of Pope Francis' commission to protect minors says a new report on the abuse of more than 500 choir boys in Germany points to a current reality in many non-western countries – and that bringing these things to light means progress for everyone.
Aspiring religious delay entry to pay off debt
WASHINGTON – For some aspiring priests and religious, the biggest obstacle to pursuing their vocation is student debt.
Catholic cartoonist draws inspiration from fantasy classics, family life
FRONT ROYAL, Va. – As many parents know, all kids come into the world ready to draw, but as the years pass, each child reaches a point where they make a choice – to draw or not to draw.
Pope's visit to Cartagena to highlight inequality in Latin America
LIMA, Peru – When Pope Francis visits Colombia in September, he will take his message of mercy and reconciliation to Cartagena, a city that still bears scars of its painful history as a slave port. And he will walk the streets where another Jesuit, St. Peter Claver, put that message into practice four centuries ago.
New research: Shroud of Turin bears blood of a torture victim
TURIN, Italy – New research indicates that the Shroud of Turin shows signs of blood from a torture victim, and undermines arguments that the reputed burial shroud of Jesus Christ was painted.